As the iPad continues to take off in so many directions for students with special needs, we now have apps to assist students with their fine motor, visual motor, tracking, motor planning, figure ground, bilateral coordination, visual sequential memory, coordination speed, range of motion of wrists and forearms and visual attention.
Dexteria (opens in new tab) $4.99 - Set of therapeutic hand exercises (not games) that improve fine motor skills and handwriting readiness in children.
Magic Shoes (opens in new tab) $1.99 - Tying shoelaces can be a very difficult task for children and young adults who have fine motor weakness. This app gives step-by-step instructions, with video collections.
SuperSearch 60 (opens in new tab) $.99 - For students 8 years and up. Not only are they playing a game, but also working on their visual motor, fine motor, visual memory, figure ground, scanning and finger isolation.
Sky Burger (opens in new tab) Free - Once again, a game that children will love without realizing they are working on visual motor, fine motor coordination of speed, range of motion of wrist of forearms and more.
Pirate Treasure Hunt (opens in new tab) Free - Eight challenges are presented with reading and math skills. Increase visual and fine motor, direction following, sequencing, visual memory.
iwritewords (opens in new tab) $2.99 - Tracing letters and words to help with correct letter formation. Increase visual and fine motor, letter formation, sequencing, word/letter recognition.
Sammy-Squirrel battles the alphabet (opens in new tab) $.99 - Match upper and lower case letters. Works on visual motor and memory, matching, sequencing, fine motor, and visual sequential. It also has three levels.
123 Tracer Lite (opens in new tab) Free - Number recognition and formation, visual and fine motor.
abc cursive (opens in new tab) $.99 - Cursive letters written in dots for tracing. Works on fine motor, pencil grasp, correct letter formation.
Alphabytes (opens in new tab) $1.99 - Four games built into one: tracing the alphabet, writing, spelling memorization. Improves fine motor, motor planning.
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.